Definition and Overview:
Givings, in the biblical context, refer to the act of offering or donating resources, time, or talents to God, the church, or others in need. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures and is seen as an expression of faith, gratitude, and obedience to God's commandments. Givings encompass tithes, offerings, alms, and other forms of charitable contributions.

Biblical Foundation:
The principle of givings is established early in the Bible. In Genesis 14:20, Abram gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the king of Salem, setting a precedent for tithing. The practice of tithing is further codified in the Mosaic Law, as seen in Leviticus 27:30 : "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

Tithes and Offerings:
Tithing, the act of giving one-tenth of one's income or produce, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Malachi 3:10 emphasizes the importance of tithing: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts. "See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure."

Offerings, on the other hand, are voluntary gifts given beyond the tithe. These can be in the form of money, goods, or services. The Israelites were instructed to bring various offerings to the Lord, as seen in Exodus 35:5 : "Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze."

Almsgiving:
Almsgiving, or giving to the poor and needy, is another significant aspect of biblical givings. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." Jesus also emphasized the importance of almsgiving in the New Testament, encouraging His followers to give generously and discreetly (Matthew 6:2-4).

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament expands on the concept of givings, highlighting the spirit of generosity and the attitude of the giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This underscores the importance of giving willingly and joyfully.

The early church exemplified communal sharing and support, as seen in Acts 2:44-45 : "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."

Spiritual Significance:
Givings are not merely financial transactions but are acts of worship and expressions of trust in God's provision. They reflect the believer's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. Jesus taught that where one's treasure is, there the heart will be also (Matthew 6:21), indicating that givings reveal one's priorities and devotion.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to practice givings as a demonstration of their faith and love for God and others. This includes regular tithing to support the church's mission, offerings for special needs or projects, and almsgiving to assist those in poverty. The act of giving should be done with a sincere heart, seeking to honor God and bless others.

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... Doings, feelings, strivings, prayings, givings, abstainings, and the life, are found
to be no relief from a sense of guilt, and, therefore, no resting-place ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Concerning Private Festivals.
... Touching the ceremonies, however, of private and social solemnities"as those of
the white toga, of espousals, of nuptials, of name-givings"I should think ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xvi concerning private festivals.htm

Of the Babylonish Captivity, and the Things Signified Thereby.
... For he speaks in these terms: I entreat, therefore, that first of all supplications,
adorations, [1461] intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for kings ...
/.../chapter 21 of the babylonish captivity.htm

A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
... meant devotion and thankfulness, therefore He who lets no man be the poorer for
what he gives to Him, and is honoured most, not by our givings to, but by our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a young mans wise choice.htm

Whether Works done Without Charity Merit Any, at Least Temporal ...
... there is a duty of giving in the giver by reason of fittingness, wherefore it is
called merit of "congruity." Now since in all gratuitous givings, the primary ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether works done without charity.htm

Whether Respect of Persons is a Sin?
... giving. one belongs to justice, and occurs when we give a man his due:
in such like givings respect of persons takes place. The ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether respect of persons is.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... But whether that is so or not, we may fairly generalise the order of givings in
this miracle, and draw from it the lesson that what Jesus then gave first is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

Love's Prodigality Censured and vindicated
... Do we know anything of that omnipotent impulse? Can we complacently set
our givings beside Mary's? II. Judas is the foil to Mary. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture i/loves prodigality censured and vindicated.htm

More than Conquerors
... So let us feel that earth, in its givings and in its withholdings, is equally impotent
to touch the one thing that we need, the conscious possession of the ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/more than conquerors.htm

Texts Explained; Ninthly...
... from the Father, it were sufficient that the Father alone should give, since none
of originate things is a partner with his Maker in His givings; but, as it is ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xxv texts explained ninthly.htm

Givings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Givings (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 9:12 For
this service of giving that you perform not only makes ...
/g/givings.htm - 7k

Thanks (151 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up
for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to ...
/t/thanks.htm - 38k

Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... He is infinitely sympathetic in His insight, and infallibly knows where distrust
comes only of the dim perceptions and weak mis-givings of our mortal nature ...
/u/unbelief.htm - 12k

Overflows (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up
for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to ...
/o/overflows.htm - 9k

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up
for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to ...
/o/overflowing.htm - 23k

Gizonite (1 Occurrence)

/g/gizonite.htm - 7k

Intercessions (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions,
and givings of thanks, be made for all men: (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS ...
/i/intercessions.htm - 7k

Entreaties (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers,
intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: (See NAS). ...
/e/entreaties.htm - 8k

Exhort (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions,
and givings of thanks, be made for all men: (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT ...
/e/exhort.htm - 17k

Expressions (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up
for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to ...
/e/expressions.htm - 7k

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